Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. Most people with SAD begins and end at about the same time.


Symptoms


Fall and Winter

• Irritability
• Tiredness or low energy
• Problem getting along with other people
• Hypersensitivity to rejection
• Heavy leaden feeling in the arms or legs
• Oversleeping
• Weight gain
• Appetite

Spring and Summer

• Depression
• Trouble Sleeping
• Weight Loss
• Poor appetite
• Agitation or Anxiety

How is SAD diagnosed?


Your health care provider will ask if:


You have been depressed during the same season and have you gotten better when the seasons changed for at least two years in a row.


You have symptoms that often occur with SAD, such as being very hungry (especially) craving carbohydrates, gaining weight, and sleeping more than usual.


A close relative-a parent, brother or sister has had SAD.


Treatment


SAD is treated using light therapy, medicines and/or counseling.


Light Therapy
a) Bright light treatment
b) Dawn simulation


Antidepressants
a) Paxil
b) Zoloft
c) Wellbutrin
d) Effexor


Counseling
a) Cognitive behavioral therapy
b) Interpersonal therapy


                             Information courtesy of www.webmd.com

Diabetes question

What is the meaning of diabetes?

November is American Diabetes Month

Diabetes affects 26 million people living in the US but 86 million are pre-diabetic. Fifteen to thirty percent of people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes which is a preventable form of diabetes within 5 years.  The disease is responsible for a number of health complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.


Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes

• Being 45 or older
• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Having high blood pressure
• Having a family history
• Having diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or giving birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more

The American Diabetes Association  launched Stop Diabetes campaign in 2009 to end the devastating toll that diabetes takes on the lives of millions of individuals and families across our nation.


http://www.stopdiabetes.com/?loc=bb

Arthritis Question (October 2015)

Name two types of arthritis?

Arthritis and Nutrition

Studies have shown that nutrition can play a role in fighting inflammation, strengthening bones and boosting the immune system which are beneficial for managing arthritis.





12 Best Foods for Arthritis
1.  Fish ( Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna and Herring)
2.  Soy
3.  Olive Oil
4.  Berries (Cherries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries)
5.  Dairy (Low-fat)
6.  Broccoli
7.  Green tea
8.  Citrus fruits
9.  Whole grain
10. Beans (red beans, kidney beans and pinto beans)
11. Garlic
12. Nuts


Information courtesy of www.arthritis.org

Hospital for Special Surgery (Fall 2015)

The Hospital for Special Surgery offers public and patient education for individuals suffering from conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. To register please visit www.hss.edu/pped
For more information please contact Alanna Perlstein at 212-606-1613 or email ppd@hss.edu


Free Bone Health Monthly Lecture Series
Time- 11:30-12:30pm


Location-  Hospital for Special Surgery
                 535 East 70th Street
                 NY, NY 10021
                 Richard L. Menschel Education Center 2nd Floor


Date: Tuesday October 13, 2015
Class: Keeping Safe Through the Winter
Speaker: Hospital for Special Surgery Faculty


Date: Thursday November 5, 2015
Class: Get Your Vitamin D
Speaker: Deborah McInerney, MS, RD, CDN (Clinical Nutritionist)

Arthritis Webinar

             

                                       

^{The Arthritis Foundation of NY offers a free one hour webinar series called e-learning that focuses on various topics related to arthritis. The webinars are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.}

        http://www.arthritis.org/new-york/local-resources/elearning-series.php

^.

 

Arthritis question

What does arthritis mean?

Arthritis

                           

Arthritis is a joint disease that affects 53 million adults and 300,000 children in the US. Common symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. It is more common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older. According to the arthritis foundation there are six steps that can help with managing arthritis.  

1) Track symptoms, pain levels & medication

2) Manage pan & fatigue

3) Stay active

4) Balance activity with rest

5) Eat a balanced diet

6) Improve sleep

Information courtesy of www.arthritis.org

National Health Observances

January
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month    


February   
American Heart Month
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month


March
National Nutrition Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Kidney Month


April
Alcohol Awareness Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
World Health Day (April 7th)


May
Arthritis Awareness Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month
Healthy Vision Month
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
Mental Health Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Senior Health and Fitness Day (May 27th)
National Stroke Awareness Month

June
Cataract Awareness Month
National Safety Month


July
Social Wellness Month
World Hepatitis Day (July 28th)


August
National Immunization Awareness Month


September
Healthy Aging Month
Falls Prevention Awareness Month
Fruit and Veggies-More Matters Month
National Food Safety Education Month
National Preparedness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
World Alzheimer's Month

October
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Health Literacy Month
Home Eye Safety Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

November
American Diabetes Month
COPD Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Healthy Skin Month
Great American Smoke-out (Third Thursday in November)
National Hospice Palliative Care Month
National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

December
National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec 7-13)
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week  (Dec 7-11)
Safe Toys and Gift Month

Go4Life

Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life

The program focuses on 4 types of exercises:

• Endurance
• Strength
• Balance
• Flexibility

1) Endurance exercises also known as aerobics includes activities that increase breathing and heart rate. Some examples include walking, jogging, swimming and biking.

2) Strength exercises are responsible for making your muscles stronger. When your muscles are strong you can perform everyday activities with greater ease such as opening jars, carrying groceries or climbing the stairs.

3) According to NIH Senior Health, balance exercises can help to prevent falls by improving the ability to control and maintain the body's position.

4)Flexibility exercises provide more freedom of your movements to engage in physical and everyday activities such as getting dressed and reaching objects on a shelf.


For more information go to https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/